How does one grow from chief accountant to head of the entire operational activity of a major construction company, launch a new plant from scratch, learn to combine the management of production, finance, HR and legal matters, and still find time for family, books, and designing AI agents? This and much more — in our candid interview with StarBuilding’s Chief Operating Officer.
A Fateful Interview and a Career Takeoff
Interviewer: Do you remember your very first working day at the company, and how your journey began?
Dina Nigmetollovna: Actually, what I remember most isn’t my first working day, but the interview with Rudolf Valentinovich. Originally I came to apply for the position of chief accountant. During the interview, Rudolf Valentinovich made an exceptionally positive impression on me — he’s an incredible optimist, someone who instantly energizes you and lifts your mood.
In the end, I worked as chief accountant for about a year. Then Rudolf Valentinovich took the initiative and suggested I undergo fundamental training in personnel management at HR Capital, and moved me into the position of HR Director (HRD). After that, I grew into the position of Chief Operating Officer.
Interviewer: What is the main piece of advice you would give yourself on that very first working day?
Dina Nigmetollovna: I suppose it wouldn’t even be advice. I would simply tell myself: "You're going to find this place very interesting, and a lot of new things await you!"
Transitioning to Operations Management, and Simple Language for Kids
Interviewer: What new things did you have to learn at the company that you had never even thought about before?
Dina Nigmetollovna: Given my unusual career transition, I never previously thought I would undergo fundamental training in HR technologies. It was in-depth training with a strong focus on psychology. And I certainly didn’t expect to move into the position of Chief Operating Officer. It’s a completely different level of tasks and responsibility.
Interviewer: If you had to explain to a five-year-old — say, your son — exactly what you do at work, how would that sound?
Dina Nigmetollovna: My son really does often ask me, "Mom, what’s your job?" and I answer, "I'm a director." But if I were to explain it in more detail, in his language, I would say something like this:
"At first, Mom worked and counted the company’s money. Then Mom worked with people, so that all the employees would be in a good mood. And now, together with the uncles and aunties, we make materials and build big, beautiful buildings!"
Pride in Large-Scale Projects: From Completed Buildings to Launching a Plant in 2024
Interviewer: Which project, decision, or task from your entire career are you proudest of?
Dina Nigmetollovna: I feel genuine pride in absolutely every project our company has completed across Kazakhstan — every building we’ve constructed and successfully handed over to the client.
But if I had to single out something special that I was directly involved in, it would be the opening of our plant. As it happened, right after I took up my position, starting in 2024, we became fully involved in launching production. We led this project from the very first stages: preparing documents, ordering industrial equipment, overseeing installation, and finally, launching production.
Overcoming Challenges and Synergy: Where to Find the Energy to Run a Holding
Interviewer: What gives you your main charge of energy and drive in your work?
Dina Nigmetollovna: My job certainly isn’t easy, and there are moments of real exhaustion. In those moments, my main source of energy and support is Rudolf Valentinovich himself. You can just stop by his office, and he’ll say, "Well, tell me what happened." He has an amazing gift for finding exactly the right words that instantly lift your spirits. You leave his office thinking, "Yes, I’m just a little tired, but honestly, everything is great!"
And of course, my family inspires me. During the workday, watching short videos of my son helps me a lot — it instantly lifts my mood and reminds me what I’m doing all this for.
Interviewer: And what do you consider the hardest part of your work, and how do you manage to cope with it?
Dina Nigmetollovna: The hardest part is the sheer volume and diversity of tasks. We have to coordinate production, construction, accounting, the HR department, and the legal service all at the same time. Bringing together and launching all these diverse processes as a single, smoothly running mechanism is a colossal challenge. I can’t say I’ve achieved this 100% yet, but thanks to our strong team of top managers and our wonderful, engaged employees, we’re handling it very successfully.
Beyond the Office: Drawing, Embroidery, AI Agents, and Morning Coffee Rituals
Interviewer: Do you have a hobby outside the office that most colleagues wouldn’t even guess about?
Dina Nigmetollovna: Because of work and taking care of my children, I have very little free time. But when I do get rare free moments, I try to read books, to fully switch off from everyday concerns.
Another thing I’m absolutely loving right now is developing and configuring AI agents. When we design an agent and it starts to work — I get a huge thrill and excitement out of that!
And what colleagues really wouldn’t guess is my passion for drawing and embroidery. It’s very calming and helps me restore my inner balance after a stressful day.
Interviewer: Do you have a morning ritual without which no day can begin?
Dina Nigmetollovna: Definitely, a cup of good, tasty coffee. For me, it’s an absolute necessity. Unfortunately, the coffee shops in our building still leave something to be desired, so every morning I either have to stop somewhere on the way, or ask colleagues to bring me a cup of good coffee.
Interviewer: What is your favorite motivating track, film, or life motto?
Dina Nigmetollovna: When it comes to music, I really love the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams to lift my mood. My favorite film is the French drama "Intouchables" (1+1) — it’s incredibly moving.
As a motto, I always use the phrase: "Never give up!" And of course, if I need extra drive, I think of the upbeat collaboration between Grigory Leps and the band "Leningrad" — "I'm a Terminator."
* * *
This material was prepared based on a practical interview for StarBuilding.
A Fateful Interview and a Career Takeoff
Interviewer: Do you remember your very first working day at the company, and how your journey began?
Dina Nigmetollovna: Actually, what I remember most isn’t my first working day, but the interview with Rudolf Valentinovich. Originally I came to apply for the position of chief accountant. During the interview, Rudolf Valentinovich made an exceptionally positive impression on me — he’s an incredible optimist, someone who instantly energizes you and lifts your mood.
In the end, I worked as chief accountant for about a year. Then Rudolf Valentinovich took the initiative and suggested I undergo fundamental training in personnel management at HR Capital, and moved me into the position of HR Director (HRD). After that, I grew into the position of Chief Operating Officer.
Interviewer: What is the main piece of advice you would give yourself on that very first working day?
Dina Nigmetollovna: I suppose it wouldn’t even be advice. I would simply tell myself: "You're going to find this place very interesting, and a lot of new things await you!"
Transitioning to Operations Management, and Simple Language for Kids
Interviewer: What new things did you have to learn at the company that you had never even thought about before?
Dina Nigmetollovna: Given my unusual career transition, I never previously thought I would undergo fundamental training in HR technologies. It was in-depth training with a strong focus on psychology. And I certainly didn’t expect to move into the position of Chief Operating Officer. It’s a completely different level of tasks and responsibility.
Interviewer: If you had to explain to a five-year-old — say, your son — exactly what you do at work, how would that sound?
Dina Nigmetollovna: My son really does often ask me, "Mom, what’s your job?" and I answer, "I'm a director." But if I were to explain it in more detail, in his language, I would say something like this:
"At first, Mom worked and counted the company’s money. Then Mom worked with people, so that all the employees would be in a good mood. And now, together with the uncles and aunties, we make materials and build big, beautiful buildings!"
Pride in Large-Scale Projects: From Completed Buildings to Launching a Plant in 2024
Interviewer: Which project, decision, or task from your entire career are you proudest of?
Dina Nigmetollovna: I feel genuine pride in absolutely every project our company has completed across Kazakhstan — every building we’ve constructed and successfully handed over to the client.
But if I had to single out something special that I was directly involved in, it would be the opening of our plant. As it happened, right after I took up my position, starting in 2024, we became fully involved in launching production. We led this project from the very first stages: preparing documents, ordering industrial equipment, overseeing installation, and finally, launching production.
Overcoming Challenges and Synergy: Where to Find the Energy to Run a Holding
Interviewer: What gives you your main charge of energy and drive in your work?
Dina Nigmetollovna: My job certainly isn’t easy, and there are moments of real exhaustion. In those moments, my main source of energy and support is Rudolf Valentinovich himself. You can just stop by his office, and he’ll say, "Well, tell me what happened." He has an amazing gift for finding exactly the right words that instantly lift your spirits. You leave his office thinking, "Yes, I’m just a little tired, but honestly, everything is great!"
And of course, my family inspires me. During the workday, watching short videos of my son helps me a lot — it instantly lifts my mood and reminds me what I’m doing all this for.
Interviewer: And what do you consider the hardest part of your work, and how do you manage to cope with it?
Dina Nigmetollovna: The hardest part is the sheer volume and diversity of tasks. We have to coordinate production, construction, accounting, the HR department, and the legal service all at the same time. Bringing together and launching all these diverse processes as a single, smoothly running mechanism is a colossal challenge. I can’t say I’ve achieved this 100% yet, but thanks to our strong team of top managers and our wonderful, engaged employees, we’re handling it very successfully.
Beyond the Office: Drawing, Embroidery, AI Agents, and Morning Coffee Rituals
Interviewer: Do you have a hobby outside the office that most colleagues wouldn’t even guess about?
Dina Nigmetollovna: Because of work and taking care of my children, I have very little free time. But when I do get rare free moments, I try to read books, to fully switch off from everyday concerns.
Another thing I’m absolutely loving right now is developing and configuring AI agents. When we design an agent and it starts to work — I get a huge thrill and excitement out of that!
And what colleagues really wouldn’t guess is my passion for drawing and embroidery. It’s very calming and helps me restore my inner balance after a stressful day.
Interviewer: Do you have a morning ritual without which no day can begin?
Dina Nigmetollovna: Definitely, a cup of good, tasty coffee. For me, it’s an absolute necessity. Unfortunately, the coffee shops in our building still leave something to be desired, so every morning I either have to stop somewhere on the way, or ask colleagues to bring me a cup of good coffee.
Interviewer: What is your favorite motivating track, film, or life motto?
Dina Nigmetollovna: When it comes to music, I really love the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams to lift my mood. My favorite film is the French drama "Intouchables" (1+1) — it’s incredibly moving.
As a motto, I always use the phrase: "Never give up!" And of course, if I need extra drive, I think of the upbeat collaboration between Grigory Leps and the band "Leningrad" — "I'm a Terminator."
* * *
This material was prepared based on a practical interview for StarBuilding.